Biker Profile: Fixie Dave Nice

When I first telling people I was going do the TourDivide race, I would get the response “YOU’RE CRAZY!” ”Oh yeah? cool, do you know Fixie Dave?” In fact it didn’t matter if I was talking to someone here locally at the magical city of Birmingham, Alabama or across the country…it seemed that Fixie Dave Nice is recognized as one helluva rider and of course, nice!

I have to admit that the Post Office Clerk did not know who Fixie Dave Nice was when I asked her.

Dave completed the TourDivide this year on his fixed gear bike setting a record. It was amazing getting to hear his check-ins and watching his progress. I honestly do not think I could make it down the driveway on a fixed gear bike let alone make it across the country.

I friended Dave on Facebook and not only does he live up to his name of being a nice guy, he’s rather apt with his camera phone and has taken some beautiful photography of Banff, Canada – where the Divide Riders start out.

Photo by Fixie Dave

I got a few minutes of Dave’s time and got a few answers out of him about the Divide, life on a bike and riding fixies.

1. Your name is Fixie Dave Nice. Is this your full name or do people just say “Fixie? Dave? Nice!”

David Nice is my name, folks started calling me fixie when i started to show up for mtb group rides on the Fixed-gear mtn bike.

2. You’ve attempted the TourDivide several times and this year was the year you conquered it. What stopped you the times before?

This year was my 6th go at the divide route, all six times I tried on a fixed gear bike.

2006 bike and gear was stolen 180 miles in, started in Port Roosville

2007 started in Roosville, made it to Jackson Lake, 1200 miles in 17 days or so, pinched my left foot and just ran outta gas that year

2008 year of the Ride the divide film, started the race with a head cold, by the time I hit Seeley Lake, it was bronchitis and was coughing up blood

2009 started in Antelope Wells, make in 1200 miles in 14 days, mentally ran out of steam, had a good friend die in his sleep about a month before the race and then about 3 weeks before had a guy get lost and die on a ride I was leading.

took 2010 off

2011 I showed up to Lordsburg NM and bike got lost by Greyhound and found the bike 6 days later in Tucson so I didn’t pedal at all

3. After all the times you’ve done the Divide – what’s the best thing you look forward to?

I look forward to the people and just having one purpose for the month.

4. And the thing you dread the most?

Dread, humm… I dunno.

5. A fixie…wow, what was your average speed for 2,700 miles?

Moving speed was prob 7-9 mph, the cranks turned 850,000+ times.

6. I noticed that you wore baggies instead of the skin tight shorts. Any reason for that?

I dont wear a chamois, haven’t for 8 years, and i think i’ve only had one saddle sore in the time.

7. What’s your motivation while on the Divide? What kept you going?

8. Here in the South, we have to deal with extreme heat and humidity. I know out on the Divide it’s dry and arid. Any advice you can offer for someone who’s switching climates to race?

Motivation, it beats work. It’s so satisfying to see how far you can cover per day and know it was all you. And whether you believe in God or this world happened by chance its just so damn cool to pedal through this part of the playground we call earth.

9. The Divide is done – are you going to try it again?

At this point, I think the Divide is out of my system especially on a fixed-gear. Other things are out there, but I won’t rule it out.

10. Any advice you’d give someone who’s going to try to tackle the Divide for the first time?

Ride alot, tour part of the divide before trying to do it in a time trial, do lots of overnighters with your setup, train your gut on junkfood.

Thanks Fixie Dave for your words and wisdom! You’re truly an inspiration to many folks, and thanks for all the informative stuff you put up on your Facebook page!

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I'm an graphic designer who loves biking no matter if it's road, cross or mountain biking. I love it all. I live in Birmingham, Alabama and design t-shirts, work for companies like the Wall Street Journal and teach as an associate professor at two of the local Universities.